Q. An elevator that opens directly into someones apartment, and there is a regular wooden door that closes with a lock the entrance from the elevator to the apartment. Does that door that is similar to others, require a mezuza, at least for maaras ayin? (The people inside the apartment, will see a door without a mezuza).
A. See question 2011 above and Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah (286: 7). Pischei Teshuva, (Y D. 286: 11) quotes Chamudei Doniel who rules that a beis sha’ar even if it does not have the regular requirements of a room that would require a mezuza such as being four by four amos, is still liable for mezuza.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in the above case, as mentioned on the question before, is exempt from mezuza. Regarding maaras ayin the Rov’s opinion is that usually it can be recognized as a elevator door by the buttons on the wall next to it. If those buttons are inside the door space, the mezuza could possibly also be on that side.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a